Gladiolus plant named &#39;Magic Lavender&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct gladiolus variety, designated ‘Magic Lavender’, is shown and described. Compared to the ‘T-704’ variety, the ‘Magic Lavender’ variety produces spikes that are 8 cm taller and a head length that is 3 cm longer. The bloom of the variety comprises three large purple colored petals, two medium-sized purple colored petals, and one small white petal having a splash of purple fanning up the center of the petal.

[0001] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of aGladiolus l. plant referred to by the variety name ‘Magic Lavender.’

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0002]FIG. 1 is a photograph of the ‘Magic Lavender’ variety in bloom.

[0003]FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating the shape of the large petals.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

[0004] The new variety of gladiolus was originated by the Applicant in acontrolled proprietary breeding program in Ft. Myers, Fla. whereinselected gladiolus varieties were crossed. The female parent was anunpatented lavender colored gladiolus variety named ‘T-704’, having aspike length near 140 cm, a long head having about 18-20 florets, and amedium-weighted stem. The male parent was an unpatented purple-coloredgladiolus variety named ‘Spartan,’ having a spike length of about 140cm, floppy wide foliage, a heavy stem, and about 16-18 florets per stem.The seeds were planted in Ft. Myers, Fla. Asexual reproduction of the‘Magic Lavender’ cultivar was achieved in Ft. Myers, Fla. by collecting,and subsequently growing to marturity, cormels from the first corm. Allsubsequent asexual reproductions of the ‘Magic Lavender’ are true to theoriginal variety.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0005] The accompanying color photograph (FIG. 1) shows theinflorescence and various stages of blooming of a ‘Magic Lavender’variety.

[0006] The following botanical description of the ‘Magic Lavender’variety was observed when the plant was grown in Ecuador under thefollowing conditions:

[0007] 1) Twelve-hour daylight days with high light intensity;

[0008] 2) Temperatures: 60° F. (low's) and 76° F. (high's);

[0009] 3) Humidity: 60%

[0010] 4) Rainfall: 2-3 inches/month.

[0011] All color descriptions with respect to parts of the cultivar,where color is a distinguishing feature, are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, except where terms of ordinary usageand dictionary meaning are used.

[0012] The bud size of the ‘Magic Lavender’ cultivar, when first showingcolor, is 6 cm in length. The flowers of the ‘Magic Lavender’ cultivareach comprise three large petals, two medium-size petals, and one smallpetal at the lower part of the corolla. All of the petals of the corollaare present in an overlapping arrangement. The shape of the large petalsis illustrated best in FIG. 2, with dimensions of 2-2.25 inches inlength and 1.75 inches in width (at the widest point, then tapering downas shown).

[0013] The color of the tight bud is purple violet (group N80C). Theflower in perfect condition is made up of three large petals, eachhaving a purple color (group 76C), with purple- violet colored edges(group N80B). The two medium-size petals have a purple color (group77D), with purple colored edges (group N78B). The single small petal iswhite (group 155A) with a splash of purple (group N78A) that fans up thecenter of the petal. The edges of the small petal are purple colored(group 77C). The pistils of the flower are white (group 155B), and thestamens are purple (group 79A).

[0014] The corolla bloom, in declining condition, is purple (group 76D)with purple edges (group N78C) on the three large petals. The two mediumsize petals are purple (group 77D) with purple edges (group 78B). Thesingle small petal is white (group 155C) with the splash of purpledescribed above remaining the same shade (i.e. group N78A), with theedges of the small petal also remaining the same shade of purple (i.e.group 77C).

[0015] The stem between the buds on the flower head is yellow green(group 144B). Various factors will affect spike length, however,including temperature (larger spikes occur in cooler weather),irrigation, light intensity, fertilization, soil type (larger spikesoccur in heavy soils versus sandy soil), and bulb size (larger bulbsresult in larger spikes). This variety can produce stems 120 cm longfrom a #2 bulb. The variety will typically have 18 florets, a headlength of 48 cm, and a bloom diameter of 10 cm. The foliage stands upfairly erect, with a leaf length of 72 cm and a leaf width of 3.5 cm.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

[0016] Compared to the gladiolus variety ‘T-704,’ the ‘Magic Lavender’variety produces spikes that are 8 cm taller and a head length that is 3cm taller. The ‘Magic Lavender’ variety is also much more resistant tofoliar diseases than the ‘T-704’ variety.

[0017] The ‘Magic Lavender’ cultivar does not emit a fragrance.

[0018] The flowers of the ‘Magic Lavender’ variety will bloom under longand short day lengths and opens rapidly enough to be cut with only oneflower showing color. The cut stems of the variety can also be shippedfor up to one week prior to blooming and still open well thereafter.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct gladiolus plant, cultivar ‘Magic Lavender’, as shown and described herein. 